# NTSB DFW07CA201: Ultra Magic M-56C, N105WB, Bossier City, LA, September 16, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2007, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Bossier City, LA
- Coordinates: 32.523334, -93.741668
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5233&lon=-93.7417&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisana
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA201

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to arrest an excessive descent rate prior to ground contact, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, descent
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The hot air balloon landed hard during an organized balloon festival.  The 472-hour commercial pilot reported that while attempting to land the hot air balloon within the "target area," he and the passenger were ejected from the basket during a hard landing.  The balloon bounced and became airborne without any of the occupants.  The pilot attempted to control the balloon by holding onto the balloon's tether rope.  The unoccupied balloon ascended with the pilot holding onto the rope.  The pilot was seriously injured  when he was no longer able to hold onto the rope and fell to the ground.  In the recommendation section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he would have used a slower rate of descent.  The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 110 degrees at 4 knots.

## Factual narrative

The hot air balloon landed hard during an organized balloon festival.  The 472-hour commercial pilot reported that while attempting to land the hot air balloon within the "target area," he and the passenger were ejected from the basket during the hard landing.  The balloon bounced and became airborne without any of the occupants.  The pilot attempted to control the balloon by holding onto the balloon's tether rope.  The unoccupied balloon ascended with the pilot holding onto the rope.  The pilot was seriously injured  when he was no longer able to hold onto the rope and fell to the ground.  In the recommendation section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he would have used a slower rate of descent.  The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 110 degrees at 4 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N105WB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ultra Magic M-56C
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: 56/27
- Airframe hours: 89
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Air race/show, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007
- Departed: Bossier City, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; commercial; last flight review June 1, 2007; flight hours: 472 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20070916019439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070916019439A), Sep 16, 2007: Ultmag M56C, Shreveport, LA, No damage. (-23) The pilot made a hard landing. The pilot and crewmember were ejected from the basket. The pilot grabbed the vent line in an attempt to deflate the…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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